Setting the Stage

How has cutting out all things romance been going for you?  Has it been difficult?  Have you felt a void in your life?  Well, whether it’s been a struggle for you or not, continue to stick to your fast from all things on earthly love, and focus your heart on your position as Christ’s chosen Bride. 
 
Meanwhile, we’re going to get started by setting the stage for the epic, life-changing story of a God who became like His creation in order to romance the heart of His wayward people.  So like in every good story, we’re going to set the stage by introducing the characters and giving some background, history, and a taste of what’s going to happen…

​Just about every girl I know (including myself) has at one point dreamed or fantasized about her wedding day—what the colors will be, the type of wedding dress she’ll wear, who will be invited, the type of venue the wedding will be held at, etc.  For many, the wedding is the most longed for and anticipated day of a girl’s life.  But instead of dreaming about an earthly, temporary wedding and pining away for an imperfect, human groom, let’s take our love for all things bridal and focus it upon our engagement to Christ—our heavenly Groom.
 
To do so, we’re going to break things down into five different parts:  1) the Bride and Her Groom, 2) the Bride and the Engagement, 3) the Bride and Others, 4) the Bride and Her Earthly Groom, and 5) the Bride and Eternity.  Within these five parts, we’ll look at the different characters involved (i.e. the Bride, the Groom, other suitors, etc.), the love story and engagement ring, how the bride-to-be prepares for the big day, viewing an earthly groom in light of a divine engagement, and the happily ever after in eternity.   
 
So below is an outline of the topics we’ll cover in this study.  This outline will also be available on a separate page listed on the right-hand side of this blog for reference throughout the series.

Outline:
Part I - The Bride and Her Groom

• The Bride (Us)—who she is, her condition, her status, and her identity
• The Groom (Christ)—who He is, His Character, His Love, His pursuit, His offer, His Jealousy
• The Ring (Holy Spirit)—the outward mark of our belonging

 
Part II - The Bride and the Engagement (everyday life)

• Growing the Relationship
• Preparing for the Big Day
• Sending out Invitations
• Purpose

 
Part III - The Bride and Others

• Other Suitors (the world)
• Well-Meaning, Distracting People
• The In-laws—brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers in Christ

 
Part IV - The Bride and Her Earthly Groom

• The Purpose
• The Standard
• Their Joined Goal

 
Part V - The Bride and Eternity

• The only, true “happily ever after” 

 
Now, are you ready to finally get started?!